The biggest and best Monthly events guide in the country is back and packed! In fact so packed that this edition only goes up to the 18th simply because it is just too much of a read and write up. For those that are interested – join us in Essex and West London for our recommended events via Grill N’ Roses and Tamikrest. In this guide you have the usual Supperclubs, Networking Events, Award Dinners, Workshops and Conferences, Debates, Film Nights and more. Let’s go:

The East London based Chefs cater to medium and large sized events within the M25 and beyond. Whether it’s the good old Burgers, Chicken, Prawns and Fish to their carefully grilled thinly sliced #beef or the Fully Loaded Package featuring all of the above plus their specially marinated Suya, Lobster & Ntaba with ground roasted peanuts, ginger, smoked paprika, cayenne, garlic & onions – these guys are certainly one of the best around. Their pop up debut should and will be live! So live that you will find us there! Join us this!

FIVE STAR: The London Jukebox presents Tamikrest. Tamikrest means ‘crossing’ in the language of the Kel Tamashek, a traditionally nomadic Saharan people that are commonly referred to as the Tuareg. It is an apt name for a band that so successfully merges the values of their timeless culture, with the sounds and visions they have encountered on a headlong journey to the concert stages and ipods of the world.

Tamikrest are at the top of their game and show again that their reputation as one of West Africa’s most innovative bands is well-deserved. World tour to follow…

This is event and band are a must see; you will find the AfricanCultureBlog crew there too – we’re looking forward to it!!

There is much more to Notting Hill than Carnival but even that history is often mis-represented. Find out about pioneering African/Caribbean people who literally fought for equality and laid the foundation for modern multi-cultural London. Why does Portobello Road have that name? Where in London is there evidence of 3500 years of African civilisation? How is Kelso Cochrane connected to Stephen Lawrence?

TAFETA, Fitzrovia is hosting a not to be missed Visual Dialogue Show featuring the amazing work of Muraina Oyelami (1940) and emerging, self-taught, multidisciplinary artist, Adébayo Bolaji (1983) who since Mid 2016 has sold over 40 works which have been exhibited alongside masters such as Bacon, Rauschenberg, Jenkins and Le Corbusier.

Let Afro-Caribbean Experience take you to a tasty authentic Afro / Caribbean restaurant to enjoy music, delicious cuisine and to enjoy our British Afro / Caribbean culture, you do not have to be Afro-Caribbean to enjoy the experience, all Nationalities are welcome.

“A British Afro / Caribbean experience you will never forget! I will fill your day with fun, laughter and entertainment and at the end of the night, your own private driver will get you back to your hotel safely.”

Come along and bring the family to a pampering and health promotion day, to encourage early intervention and prevention of short and long term illness. The children can practice Yoga, health screening is available, listen to Amun Ra speak about mens health and Lyndon who has conquered Diabetes.

The event, to be held at the Hilltop Community Centre, Crest Road, HP11 1UA, is an opportunity to access screening and advice on the common health challenges that are prevalent within the African and Caribbean community. Advice will be on offer covering:

This walk links the Imperial War Museum with the Cumin Museum of Ancient Egypt. It illustrates more than 200 years of Black history with tales of the Will Smith of 1800’s London, the strategic planning of the Windrush generation, African soldiers and their centuries of service to Britain, India and Africa’s enormous role in WW2.

This event marks the recent 50th anniversary of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD). Adopted in 1965, ICERD is the oldest of the ‘core’ international human rights treaties; it has been ratified by 178 States. Moreover, the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), established in 1970, was the first international treaty-monitoring body of its kind. Initially CERD was widely perceived as an international statement against apartheid and colonialism. But, since its inception, the Convention’s meaning and reach has evolved to engage a broad range of groups as well as enhancing the effectiveness of its mechanisms. Today it encompasses a host of issues involving racial, ethnic or linguistic groups, minorities, indigenous peoples, caste/descent-based groups, migrants, refugees, as well as engaging hate speech, ethnic conflict and other racially-motivated acts.

Leyden Gallery’s forthcoming exhibition Platform for Emerging Arts #14 is an all-woman mixed media exhibition focused on ideas of revelations, transformations and shifting perspectives. It promises a dynamic display from four talented emerging artists in one of East London’s most vibrant art spaces. Responding to a call-out for emerging art, each of the four artists has been selected for their promise and skill by curators Adriana Cerne & Lindsay Moran. Leyden Gallery has shown its astute judgment in recognising emerging talent, as their perception in the past has produced artists who have gone on to both critical acclaim and commercial success. With the development of each of Le yden Gallery’s Platform shows there is a fabulous opportunity for the public to both see and buy art from emerging artists at a critical early stage of their careers.

Do Support South African born Sheera Jacobs Graduated from the UCL Slade School of fine art in 2010. Her practice, which consists of painting, drawing and photography explores and creates images of people and landscapes which appear to be in flux, existing in fluid spaces of temporality, memory, culture and identity.

Join BACC’s Lunch Club every Wednesday and learn how to make food from around the world. *Free for participants who wish to take part in making the food. *£2 a plate if you just want to come and enjoy the delicious food.

AFSIC is the leading investment event focused on Africa’s financial services sector. The annual AFSIC, now in its 5thyear, attracts financial services companies, predominantly leading Banks, Insurance Companies, Microfinance, Leasing and other regulated financial services companies from almost all parts of the African continent.

London will play host to the fifth edition of the Africa Financial Services Investment Conference (AFSIC) to be held from 3-5 May 2017, bringing together representatives of financial services companies across Africa and investors including Sovereign Wealth Funds, supranational investors, listed equity and private equity investors, African regulated asset managers, as well as impact investors such as Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and microfinance focused investors.

Africa Events Limited is the first subsidiary of Afinitas. AEL is incorporated in Jersey, Channel Islands and owns the rights to the Africa Financial Services Investment Conference (AFSIC). The conference is attended by a wide range of Africa focused investors, dealmakers, and regulated African financial services companies from all parts of the African continent.

The Business Council for Africa is very pleased to be hosting a Breakfast Briefing with Josephine Gauld, Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire.

Josephine was appointed Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire in 2016. She has substantial experience in African markets, having previously served as Second Secretary in Kinshasa (2004-2007), First Secretary in Abidjan (2007-2009) and Deputy Head of Political Section in Abuja (2012-2014). She has also held several positions in the FCO covering the Balkans, the South Caucasus and the UK’s response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa in 2014.

The Prince’s Trust is hosting a group of young and emerging brands who have taken part in their support programmes, including Doville Bertulyte, Alexander Mueller, Yinka Ilori, Study 34 and Mind the Cork. A different discipline is demonstrated each day in the window display of Tomorrow’s Store.

Yinka Ilori is a London based designer will be featured there. He specialises in up-cycling vintage furniture, inspired by the traditional Nigerian parables and African fabrics that surrounded him as child. Humorous, provocative and fun, each piece of furniture he creates tells a story. Bringing Nigerian verbal traditions into playful conversation with contemporary design, Yinka Ilori’s work touches on themes as various as hope, sexuality and social class. Conscious that the parables are as relevant today as ever, Ilori wishes to share his work with people throughout the world. http://yinkailori.com/?page_id=72

This networking night provides a conducive environment for wedding and event professionals to connect, network and collaborate with like-minded individuals within the African Caribbean wedding industry. This is also a prime opportunity to make valuable connections and contacts to help grow and take your business to the next level. Come and connect with up and coming and established Wedding and Event Planners, Venue Stylers, DJ’s, Photographers, MUA’s, Caterers and many other wedding professionals!

An evening of celebration and discussion in recognition of Dawit Isaak being awarded the 2017 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize.

Eritrean-Swedish journalist and playwright Dawit Isaak was an active and far-sighted presence on the arts and media scene in Eritrea. He was arrested in a crackdown on the media and opposition that occurred in September 2001, and has been in prison since this time, without charge or trial.. The last time he was heard from was in 2005, and his present location is unknown. He wrote poems, short stories, newspaper articles and plays. He worked closely with Fessehaye Yohannes, who was also imprisoned in 2001, and who died in jail in 2007. Together they created the Children’s theatre group SEWIT and the acrobat group Circus Eritrea.

The first solo exhibition of Maciej J. The young Polish artist’s work touches on topics such existentialism, love and peace. His inspirations derive from African culture, Baroque art, and his beloved master Salvador Dali.

Attend this event to find out what happens when Spiritual meets Surreal.

This soulful event will be taking place under the roof of Dark Sugars Cocoa House, where you’ll find a world of chocolate products to indulge in.

A series of monthly conversations that encourage us to engage with important issues that impact on all our lives. In an informal, relaxed atmosphere, we discuss and debate with influential figures in fields such as politics, law, social justice and human rights. Conversations are facilitated by the Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Priest-in-Charge at St Mary-at-Hill Church and Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons.

The guest in May is Levi Roots.Levi Roots has a rich pedigree in music. He was nominated for a MOBO award in 1998 for his ‘Free Your Mind album. He sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to Nelson Mandela when the South African icon visited Brixton and used to play football with Bob Marley every Sunday in Battersea Park. Levi’s album “Red Hot” was launched in Autumn 2009 by his own label, Sound Box Media and his new album, Rise Above is out now.

MA R I AM a singer/songwriter and guitarist hailing from south london, combines her sweet vocals which has been described as ‘atmospheric soul’ to fill your earlobes with a blend of pop, soul, folk and alternative music, with thought provoking lyrics that will get you thinking and bopping your head. A self professed story teller, an ability she credits to her Nigerian heritage, although she was born and raised in London, she has grown up in strong roots and culture.

Chris Hornsby works entirely with things he can strum, blow, hit, kick and shake Chris Hornsby creates an authentic sound with traces of Folk, Americana and laid back rock. His songs are rich with modern storytelling and suffused with imagery.

Lánre “Headlining we had the beguiling Nigerian songstress Lánre, who held the auditorium in the palm of her hands. Armed only with her personality, her smile and an acoustic guitar, she took us on a journey back to her homeland (via Stoke-on-Trent) painting many vistas and drawing on many emotions with bright African colours – absolutely spellbinding” John Drummond – Brewery Blues

Lindy Hop (or Swing Dance as it is now known), is a partner dance originating in the late 1920s Jazz Era. In the most part developed in ballrooms across the USA – most notably The Savoy Ballroom in Harlem, New York. It’s popularity peaked in the mid-1940s and was featured often as a speciality act in many Hollywood movies such as Hellzapoppin’. Despite a musical shift after WW2, the Lindy Hop continued to be enjoyed socially throughout the US, UK and other countries. Notable dancers: George Snowdon, Norma Miller and Frankie Manning.

DUDUETSA is an upbeat southern African marimba group based in the United Kingdom, performing traditional and contemporary marimba music from Zimbabwe, South Africa and Botswana. The group’s set up typically includes soprano and baritone marimba, with drums and vocals. They sing in several southern African languages including Shona, Ndebele, Zulu, Xhosa, Tswana and English.

Duduetsa brings the warm sounds of the southern African marimba to Juju’s Bar & Stage for an evening of rhythmic, upbeat, sunshine music! Come dance with us and them!

AFFORD, in partnership with the Centre of African Studies (CAS) SOAS, invites you to a discussion on diaspora and development. There will be an engaging conversation between Chukwu-Emeka Chikezie MBE co-founder of AFFORD and Gibril Faal OBE former Chairman of AFFORD, followed by a Q&A session.

Cinqo de Mayo is a day that celebrates a ‘battle won against all odds’.Join them in partying….for a good cause. Proceeds go toward the making of a social impact film highlighting the battle against ‘our disappearing Wilderness’.

Come dressed with a hint of ‘wild’, be it African or Mexican, to channel your inner animal. Price includes a welcome drink and entry into a raffle with the chance to win amazing prizes. Feel free to send invite along to friends but please note that spaces are limited!

Azteca is a Colourful, vibrant bar and authentic Mexican cantina with live music, cocktails and Cuban cigars.

Cheap Cuts Festival is the UK’s only Documentary Short Film Festival | 5th – 7th May at The Cinema Museum London. See website for FREE tickets! www.cheapcutsfest.com

The opening night of Cheap Cuts Documentary Film Festival 2017 kicks off with 5 short documentaries, each directed by women, with stories from around the world. After the screenings, there will be a discussion panel and networking. You’ll have the chance to hear more and ask questions about underepresented women in filmmaking from various female speakers including:

“AYAL Talks: The Africa We Want Believes in Youth” is scheduled for Friday, 5th May 2017 from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, at the University of Manchester. The event aims at empowering and recognizing youth potential to drive change and development in our continent. The day will be marked by a discussion on the challenges and opportunities for young people within African countries as well as in the diaspora.

The University of Manchester are bringing together a diverse – in terms of age and level of experience – panel of bright and inspiring African minds, who have been doing amazingly both academically and professionally, to share their experiences (i.e. failures and successes), within a wide range of areas, to foster knowledge and inspiration to fellow young people, academics and African affairs’ enthusiasts. \

Learn about African and African diaspora products, foods & remedies and where to buy them. Try delicious locally cooked African cuisine on our tours of Peckham. You will meet local sellers, try new foods, discover great African sounds, catch the latest styles and learn how to stay healthy with natural African healing.

Longidi Events organises African themed events for all Africans, those from Africa, Caribbean, Brazil and all over the world. Friends of Africans are also welcomed.

Palmwine & small chops is our very first event. Let’s call it a welcome event for Longidi Events. Come along and meet other members of our community. And of course try the renowned African palmwine if you have not. And then what’s any gathering without small chops.

Small chops are finger foods, mini bites of savoury snacks such as buns or puff puff, samosas, spring rolls. Your ticket price includes a bottle of palmwine with small chops.

Ubuntu simply means humanity towards others, word made famous by Nelson Mandela & Desmond Tutu. Our platform brings together a community of everyday activists with the aim of developing the African diaspora in the UK and a focus on Africa’s development through grassroots work. Presentation at emerging women includes:

Africa needs entrepreneurs that work – how to raise funds for an African based project | Create what you want to be part of – one woman’s journey of empowering women in Malawi | Slay in your lane: lessons from the stories of great women | Moving back home? – An expatriate experience of moving back to Kenya and working as an anchor on a news platform | Power of the African print in fashion | Why Tech is key to young women’s future in Africa.

*They invite men also to join the conversation. Ubuntu Platform is a community of world changers on a journey to make the world a better place. It began in May 2015 with the focus on developing a stronger link between Africans in the Diaspora. Please Remember this is a Q & A panel discussions & networking and mentoring opportunities.

Join Jamma Rekk every Saturday for Londons first ever weekly African Caribbean market Square. They will be selling jerk duck and fish cake wraps, Afra, rice and veg curry. Plus a few surprises every now and then. There is also Booze on sale and a DJ playing some serious tunes so come down and enjoy!

A detailed and extensive look at the African, Caribbean and Asian war effort with video clips and interviews with black Spitfire & bomber pilots, Nigerian and Somali troops fighting in Burma, Black and Asian women secret agents, u-boats in the Caribbean and the importance of Africa and India’s raw materials

Black History Walks has delivered this event at the Imperial War museum for over ten years. Despite being on the British school curriculum many people have no idea that Black people played any part in either World War 1 or World War 2. This interactive presentation will fill in the huge gaps as well as provide references and resources.

Zimbabwe Achievers Awards (Z.A.A.) is the pinnacle of celebration of talent, art, business, expression and achievement in the Zimbabwean community throughout a very broad spectrum of genre, born out of a simple vision. The Z.A.A is a distinctly special awards ceremony seeking to recognise Zimbabweans who have pushed the limits against all odds to raise the Zimbabwean flag high and do both themselves and their fellow countrymen proud. The Z.A.A. has become one of the most important events in the African community.

Think Alice in Wonderland meets Out of Africa. Our Afternoon tea is a twist on a classic, providing miniature goodies, with an East African twist. Served alongside a tea infused cocktail by Tea Leaf London (thin Earl grey gin or hibiscus vodka), this spread is the perfect way to spend an afternoon.

Enjoy bitesize sweet and savoury treats such as cardamom Victoria sponge and chilli-pineapple salsa. These treats are where classic high tea meets traditional African fare.

Black History Studies in association with Decolonising The Archives presents the North London Premiere of 13TH. In this thought-provoking documentary, scholars, activists and politicians analyse the criminalisation of African Americans and the U.S. prison boom.

13TH is a 2016 American documentary by director Ava DuVernay. The film explores the “intersection of race, justice and mass incarceration in the United States; it is titled after the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which freed the enslaved and prohibited slavery (unless as punishment for a crime).

The fashion showcase returns for a second year with the mission of creating a global platform to promote African fashion on the runway, while highlighting Oxford’s diversity and its status as an international marketplace.

The two-day celebration includes a series of events (fashion showcase, entertainment and competition) and presentations to promote emerging fashion designers, models, buyers, experts and professionals from oxford and around the world.

The grand AFROShow event (“The Runway”Show 2017) will take place on Saturday, the 6th of May 2017, beginning with the red carpet at 5:00 PM (VIP’s, Designers and Guest of Honour), followed by the official showcase at 6:30 PM. This year’s collections of designs will consist of diverse works, selected from designer collections that continue to push the envelope in defining the true aesthetic value of African fashion. The evening will also feature a live band and performances from various artists. The show will close with an After party with DJ Moses at Osler House from 9 PM To Midnight (limited places).

Many people are upset by the all white casting of films set in ancient Africa. They are less able to explain the extensive and insidious mis-representation of African culture; history, architecture and art which occur in every frame of those movies. This is just as damaging but often goes unnoticed. It affects people who have’nt even seen the movie due to the massive promotional advertising that comes with such films, the brainwashing continues indirectly and subconsciously.

In the second half of this double blockbuster movie breakdown they will cover:

Scene by scene comparisons of Gods and Kings and actual African history with dates and comparative European history | The actual African identity of Gods and Pharoahs in the film | The Hollywood perversion of Kemetic Spirituality | The power of stereotypes | The people behind this film, similar films and reasons for the whitewash | Psychological warfare: reasons, examples and effects | Did slavery build the pyramids, who were the Hebrews ? | How we can use such films to our advantage: flipping the script and un-brainwashing | Where and how to get accurate information on African history | Black people in Fantasy/Science Fiction Season ? Where to get those images and stories.

Taking place on Sunday 7th May with Red Carpet set to be streamed on Twitter Live, the 12th annual Screen Nation Awards ceremony will be held in the impressive Ballroom of the newly multi-million pound refurbished Park Plaza London Riverbank, overlooking the Thames at the Albert Embankment. The dazzling show will be hosted for a record 4th time by the sensational BRENDA EMMANUS, BBC London News who always make the news when she announces! Joining her for the first time is your very own King of Afrobeat Radio, ABRANTEE, Capital Xtra.

2017 leading international honouree is enigmatic Ivorian European acting titan ISAACH DE BANKOLE, star of many classic independent American and African movies as well as huge Hollywood blockbusters such as Casino Royal, The Last Witch Hunter and Black Panther. A truly unique talent working in today’s movie industry.

Shoutloud 2016 starts with you; our participators and our visitors, but it cannot end there. This event will be filled with performers, local charities, local businesses and you to create awareness, a stronger community and fun in one place. No two stands nor two faces alike but its time to stand for the same reason and support the people who deserve it too. Raising funds for The African Village School Fund.

Buy a ticket with a dividend of profits returning our charity donation target and you will be sure to be trying the latest health dishes, trying out the best massage techniques and taking part in the latest yoga body pump taster class whilst meeting the freshest fitness instructors on the day!

Ditch the workout join Louise’s Sunday Morning Zumba Party! In case you find yourself in Bath feel free to come and join Zumba Thornbury for 55 mins of Latin moves, rythms and songs where you will move and shake your way to fitness!

We start with basic warm up moves to well known songs and then hit the dancefloor with Merengue, Salsa, Reggaeton and Cumbia songs from Latin America then we mix it up with Belly Dancing, African beats and other classic Latin styles such as Flamenco and Tango! It’s just awesome – you must come!

This class will be held at Turnberries in Thornbury and although there is plenty of room they advise you to book up nice and early as these sessions can get booked well in advance. All welcome so bring your friends, mums, sisters and aunties 🙂

Don’t forget to share your booking or check into class on Facebook – word spreads and all your friends will come for the party. How cool would that be?!

Evita Bezuidenhout is still hailed as the most famous white woman in South Africa. After a few lifetimes in the whirlpools of local politics, she has swung from separate developist to designer democrat. Now a member of the ruling African National Congress, Mrs Bezuidenhout is in the kitchen of Luthuli House where she cooks for reconciliation.

With humour and optimism she will enmesh the politics of the world with the news from the rainbow nation that seems to have misplaced its bright colours behind a blur of black and white confusions. Evita Bezuidenhout will prove that it still is possible to fall in love with South Africa and invite those in London who long for the magic of that place to come and sample a taste of Darling.

On this short course, we’ll uncover the roots of people of African descent in Britain and through exploring two-centuries of Black British history, we’ll gain an in-depth understanding of their multi-layered contribution to British society.

This is six-week short course with weekly Tuesday sessions from 6.30pm-8.30pm

Uganda indeed is ready for business with the West Midlands! gHaving identified opportunities in Uganda as being of potential interest to companies, investors, manufacturers and the UK business community, Black Country Growth Hub, Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership – Growth Hub, Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership – Growth Hub, Worcestershire Business Central and The High Commission of the Republic of Uganda to the UK invites you to this prestigious conference organised by Uganda Convention – UK (UCUK).

This event will enable delegates to:

Learn about Uganda as a potential investment destination and trading partner

Raise a glass with our London marathon runner, Carola Fekter, in celebration of her success.

Carola’s race preparation took her to South Africa for a trial run but her dedication to training meant she missed out on sampling the local vino. To put things right, we’ll be tasting South African red and white wines selected by M Wine Store’s own Harry Crowther.

Come along and show your support for the Rose Vouchers for Fruit & Veg Project, helping parents with young children on low incomes to buy fresh fruit and vegetables while developing the skills and confidence to give their families the healthiest start.

Alexandra Rose Charity is a charitable organisation that is dedicated to seeking out and helping those in need. Alexandra Rose Charity has been supporting vulnerable members of society for over 100 years. In 2012 ARC changed its focus to concentrate its efforts on the issues of food poverty and healthy eating.

Tower Hamlets Council’s Arts, Parks and Events Team will once again be helping facilitate a programme of events for Black History Month this October which celebrate African, Caribbean and Black arts, culture and history.

To this end the East London borough council of Tower Hamlets will be organising another open evening on May 10th where those interested in getting involved can find out about the marketing and funding support on offer, hear from previous participants and other event organisers, and ask any further questions of council officers about how to get involved in 2017. Further details about this event will be available shortly.

This is free of charge, but please reserve your place in advance. Light refreshments will be available.

JonaQuestArt presents Vibrant Continuum as part of its annual celebration, marking another milestone on its quest to showcase the works of undiscovered and emerging artist in its Greenwich Gallery.

The collection of works presented, explores a kaleidoscope of dynamic colours, and textures. Locating itself at the intersection of African culture and aesthetics. This exhibition includes an eclectic range of artworks, where the energetic pieces weave together an international assemblage of practices that move between intense abstraction and meticulous figuration. Spanning a variety of methods and delicate materials the works included in this exhibition highlights JonaQuestArt’s spectrum of cultural vantage points.

A singer-songwriter, producer, dancer and vocal coach, Ivy was raised in USA listening to a soundtrack of soul and gospel and blends those influences into her music alongside inspiration drawn from her African-American, French and Native American heritage.

Ivy states her Native American roots as an integral part of her identity and is actively incorporating this in her music, introducing her audiences to one of the oldest, but least represented nations in the entertainment industry.

Only 10% of global health research is undertaken within low-income countries, with research often being viewed as a luxury. However, research provides essential information for the development of knowledge and medical treatments and allows limited resources to be used effectively. There are many challenges to developing a strong research culture in Ethiopia. In particular, there is a need to train and retain high quality researchers within the country. This, however, not only requires adequate funding, but also a willingness to support research and commitment to implementing findings into clinical practice.

A review of the scientific experiments and research performed on Black people to refine various drugs and medical treatments for use with white people. We also detail chemical and biological warfare.This presentation will draw on Harriet Washington’s book of the same name, various documentation from World War 1 and 2, Aboriginal history, Vietnam, US Prisons, Porton Down, Ivory coast, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Australia, Nigeria, Somalia, Kenya and South Africa

It will cover:

Piracy, Poisons and East Africa | Radioactive People: North Africa and the Pacific | Birth and Crowd Control: The South African Solution, Project Coast | National Security Memorandum 200 | Vic Mackie and Congressional Inquiries | The ‘War on Drugs’, Haiti, Jamaica, USA | The Mau Mau, Kenya, Sierra Leone and Afghanistan | This event will start promptly, latecomers will miss out and may not get a seat.

These British pioneers of Afro-fusion and godfathers of world music consistently pack out Hideaway whenever they play here. Their live set is a musical adventure, a journey of spirit and a show not to miss!

Formed in London by three Ghanaian and three Caribbean musicians in 1969, Osibisa joined jazz, funk, Caribbean, R&B, Latin and African rhythms together to create something that changed world music forever.

This legendary band have made 20 studio albums and played a central role in developing an awareness of African music among European and North American audiences from the 1970s to the current day – with major hits including ‘Music for Gong Gong’, ‘Sunshine Day’, ‘Dance the Body Music’, ‘Coffee Song’, ‘Woyaya’ and more.

Hideaway is South London’s award-winning live music and comedy venue featuring the very best Jazz, Funk, Swing and Soul, showcasing new talent, established artists and star performers.

Ghana was the first nation in Sub-Saharan Africa to gain independence from colonial rule on 6th March 1957 spearheaded by the remarkable visionary Osaygefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

To mark this 60th year of Ghanaian independence in 2017, young Londoners of Ghanaian heritage explore their cultural identity and how it manifests in their creative contribution as part of the wider African Diaspora.

Curated by writer Christian Adofo, this event will feature a mixture of readings, visual media and an informal discussion with visual artist Heather Agyepong & poet Victoria Adukwei Bulley on identity, race and young London.

Mama Africa is the biography of the South African singer, Miriam Makeba, who was the first black, African musician to win international stardom. Her music influenced artists across the globe, although her style stayed anchored in her South African roots. She sang for John F. Kennedy and Marlon Brando, performed with Harry Belafonte, Nina Simone and Dizzie Gillespie.

Makeba was also a vocal campaigner against apartheid, and always stood for truth and justice. After her involvement with the 1959 documentary Come Back Africa (one of the first films to expose the harsh realities of apartheid) she was forced into a life in exile from her homeland.

This documentary traces her life and music through more than fifty years of performing. Friends and colleagues, some who knew her from the beginning, in the dance halls of South Africa (remember Pata Pata ), together with her grandchildren, allow us to know the remarkable journey of Mama Africa .

How do we create visual narratives about dying matters through use of the camera?

A chance to view powerful, poignant funeral photographs and footage from acclaimed professional photographers whose work has been exhibited in art galleries, reproduced in magazines and newspapers as well as displayed in family homes and personal albums.

Focussing on the documentation of funerals through photographic and video practices, join us for a discussion around the role of photography and moving images in contemporary British funerals.

How Great Thou Art represents a lifetime’s work by Charlie, and the offers attendees of this event, a rare opportunity to engage with, learn from, and celebrate the rapidly changing mourning traditions and practices of London’s African Caribbean community.

The G.Y.M (guard your mind) is an individualised approach to managing mental and emotional instability.

It will be fair to say that over the years, the Black community in Britain has not had a ‘fit for purpose’ mental health care plan. The systematic oppression, prejudice, exclusion etc. that the average black person faces daily is never taken into consideration when being assessed for mental or emotional breakdown. When you experience rejection, exclusion or outright verbal and physical abuse, it does not go away, it remains in your neuronal networks. Unfortunately the effect of these traumatic experiences can be genetically passed down generations. The concept of The restoration place is to provide a mental and emotional health service, that uses information and creativity as therapeutic tools to help repair our self-image, provide psycho education to manage our thoughts and also provide economic empowerment through entrepreneurial skills workshops. These bespoke workshops and interventions are already being used to bring restoration to the vulnerable.

A full day event for anyone interested in the development of towns and cities. It features a series of focused 15-minute talks by some of the very best urban practitioners sharing the greatest lessons they have learned.

Find out how they work in a ‘Massive Small’ way to achieve fundamental change and better outcomes in the places where they work.

Why should you attend?

Have your creativity sparked and be inspired by unusual approaches that embrace and work with the fine-grain complexity of the urban environment.

Engage in an open and collaborative conversation to learn how to integrate such techniques into your practice. During our catered lunch, you are invited to submit questions to be discussed in the afternoon Salon over drinks.

Meet other urban leaders, and find out how together we can ‘unleash the small’ to fix our broken systems of urban development. Together we can build resilience and sustainability into the fabric of the city from the ground up.

Attendees will receive a certificate that can count towards their CPD requirements.

Top of the bill is the stellar K.O.G. & The Zongo Brigade, who’ve been effortlessly turning heads since their conception, even being selected from 6,000 acts to place in Glastonbury’s Emerging Talent competition in 2015. The 9 piece deliver notoriously explosive shows lead by Ghanaian “force of nature” K.O.G., which take the crowd on an unforgettable journey through afrobeat, soul, funk and reggae.

Support comes from Dizraeli & DownLow, who will construct a live hip hop show unlike anything you’ve seen before your very eyes. DJ DownLow lays down eclectic beats whilst MC Dizraeli showcases his ability to nail both rapid flows and lyrical spoken word. These former members of Dizraeli & The Small Gods have been blowing away audiences with their latest incarnation, supporting everyone from the Pharcyde to Mos Def.

+ Find out how Black History Month was introduced in Britain+ Hear about some of the programmes African history specialists will be delivering as part of African History Month @ 30+ Improve your global African history knowledge base, and history’s role in addressing UN’s IDPAD (International Decade For People Of African Descent) initiative+ Find out about the African Jubilee Year Declaration and its role in the introduction of Black History Month 30 yeas ago
+ Find out the hubs for discovering where African History events are happening in and out of the Month

MONEY TALK$ – Let’s Talk About Black Women in Media & Money Management is the second of three panel discussions in our Let’s Talk About series. The event will bring together a host of women in business or self employment from a variety of industries including fashion, food and finance for a day of honest discussion, lessons and networking.

We lift the lid on what it’s like to be a black woman running her own business in the UK as they try to reach the mass market! We will also be discussing profit vs purpose, managing your own finances and budgeting, credit scores, funding, setting goals and more!

Be sure to have your questions ready for the panel, expect to meet new people and prepare for a good time.

Head over to www.fwoc.co.uk to see pictures from our first Let’s Talk About event!

Nyabingi Charity Presents a Gala Night to remember. Raising Mental Health Awareness In Our Communites. Nyabingi a Service User-led charity which have been providing empowerment projects for African and Caribbean sufferers of mental illness for the past 16 years. Presenting a Gala Night to Remember we invite you to come and share with us our journey and achievements.

Caroline Newman (AKA The Business Advocate) is a successful lawyer and business owner. She qualified as a solicitor in a top city law firm. She has since started, grown and successfully merged her legal practice. For the past ten years, she has been a consultant, business and personal development coach mentor, adviser and trainer in the corporate, legal and entrepreneur sectors offering Professional and Personal Development assistance to business owners, leaders, judges, QCs, barristers, solicitors and law students. She trained as an actor and TV presenter and regularly works in this capacity.

You have invested in your business; you know you are capable of more, now it’s time to invest in you. Caroline Newman will enable you to grow in authentic confidence & step into your power, so you can be resilient to any of life’s challenges and achieve your greatest potential.

Black Conscious Coventry (BCC) is a community organisation formed by four socially conscious individuals who share a passion for Black History and who want to a make a positive impact within the African and Caribbean Community in Coventry.
BCC aims to do this by hosting events which offer thought provoking topics and explores historical and contemporary issues that affect the Black Community. These discussions will sort to find tangible solutions to the challenges that the community faces.
The BCC mission is to Educate, Motivate, Unite and raise the consciousness of the African and Caribbean community within Coventry.

BCC will be organising a variety of events that will educate, entertain and engage the community with a heavy focus on the youth, while providing networking opportunities for local Black Businesses within Coventry. BCC will be working closely with the Caribbean Association Limited who will facilitate many of our events.

Hubb Debates is a pioneering debate + live performanceconcept from Soul City Arts.

Audience members participate in discussion, guided by a guest host. The debate is punctuated by performances from invited musicians & artists, who respond spontaneously to the topic at hand. The event is followed by hot food and drinks (included in ticket price), providing an opportunity to meet audience members, as well as the host and featured artists.

Our first event of season 2 of Hubb Debates is…

MALCOLM X: INTEGRATION OR SEPARATISM

Host: Hisham Aidi | Guest Artist: Juice Aleem

How best should minorities seek political empowerment?

Should they opt to fully integrate with the nation-state (by voting, engaging with power structures, and participating politically) or should they focus on independence and community building?

It has been suggested that Malcolm X appeared to, at different stages of his life, advocate both approaches.

Avril’s Walks and Talks is run by the vivacious Avril Nanton. She has been a student of Black History edification for many years and enjoys passing on information to the general public about a subject close to her heart. As the Director, she uses her experience and knowledge to fully inform her audience on the walk so that they come away with new information about something they may have been walking past for years and never knew anything about. She helps to change the perspective of those who “didn’t know”…

Come and hear “moor” about the King Phillip of Spain & His entourage Balthazar Sanchez and his achievements in Tottenham. Avril’s Walks and Talks takes you on a fascinating tour around Tottenham looking at the area from a black perspective.

This 2 hour tour will take you from the 1550’s right up to today, showing you the area in a different light. Here are just some of the things the walk covers:

“History”, as we know it today, suggests the only contributions Africans played was the role of slaves and poverty stricken souls unable to survive without the aid of their enforced enslavement and colonialism.

The concept of “race” is a European invention, yet when it comes to identifying the ethnicity of the first humans and civilizations, European scientists and institutions claim not to recognise “race” and attribute the founders of ancient civilizations and the first humans to non-Africans, when the evidence clearly shows that these original founders were African.

Join us and see exactly how Black people established and engineered the ancient civilizations in Ice Age Europe, Asia and America by joining us on this ground-breaking tour.

My Sisters & Brothers, It is now the day and time to show Love and Unity amongst the African diaspora. In these uncertain and difficult times, we need togetherness and optimism, to get through our lives in the West. We are becoming stronger, wiser and more conscious of our purpose as a people on this planet.

Similarly we should love our people, no matter what domination, faith, religion, creed or shade that entity may have. Peace and Love should be our focus. Once we learn to care and love ourselves, the whole world we will change into a more positive environment.

Alesandra Seutin/Vocab Dance Company (VDC) bring to you another eclectic day of dance.

VDC & Friends is 1 day of intensive dance classes, with a line-up of teachers who will give you a day worth dancing for! A fun, exhilarating and full on day of living motion! You will receive a unique opportunity to dance with artists who have worked with Vocab Dance, Wayne McGregor, Bill T. Jones, Germaine Acogny, Rafael Bonachela, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Merce Cunningham, Matthew Bourne and Mark Baldwin to name a few.

This full day workshop is open to intermediate, advanced and professional dancers as well as dance students from full-time vocational courses, who are looking to enrich their practice and to those who have particular interest in the diversity of dance, aged 18+

Soul.Full Sundays, brought to you by Cake + Cucumber, is an event for women that harmonises belly, body and being through the fusion of mindful dining and yoga.

Alongside Pennie Ludlow Yoga, Soul.Full’s relaxed African brunch invites you to come as you are, reconnect to simply ‘being’ and begin to unearth your inner calm. A detoxifying and calmly revitalising yoga practice is followed by a spread of wholesome and hearty sharing platters. Inspired by the tastes of East Africa, this is brunch, but not quite as you know it. With sprinklings of spice, alongside sweet and savoury aromas, you can explore taste sensations- whilst feeling nourished and satisfied.

This is an open invitation to a women only space to celebrate community and connection within a world that often pressures us to be at odds with others – and ourselves. Here Soul.Full offer a fresh approach to bond, renew and explore friendships, and the self.

Zootopia, the billion dollar box office smash starring Idris Elba just won an Academy Award for best Animated Feature Film. It should also have got the award for Most Politically Relevant to Black history.

In this movie breakdown Black History Walks will take you on a scene-by-scene journey through the movie and show exactly where and how the cute, cuddly animals; addressed, exemplified and illustrated:

The Luton Black Men Community Group is an Afrocentric male facilitating organisation enhancing the black community with mentoring, education, economic empowerment and health & wellness via self-funded programmes.

13th is a 2016 American documentary by director Ava DuVernay, that explores the “intersection of race, justice and mass incarceration in the United States” it is titled after the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which freed the slaves and prohibited slavery (unless as punishment for a crime). She examines the prison-industrial complex and the emerging detention-industrial complex, demonstrating how much money is being made by corporations from such incarceration and the damaging effect on minority communities and their lives.

These wines get better and better and it all started with Meerlust Rubicon. Taste this, Vergelegen Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2011, the fabulous De Toren Fusion V 2012 and more. What better way to end this event than getting 15% off your bill (valid for both food and wine) if you stay for dinner afterwards.

Monday May 15th 3.70pm – In Conversation with Aderonke Apata – the struggle for ongoing global LGBTQIA+ freedom on the 50th anniversary of England’s decriminalisation.

2017 is the 50th anniversary of the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality in England and Wales. But LGBTQIA+ people across the world continue to face grave threats. 76 countries still criminalise homosexuality. Come listen and learn from Aderonke Apata – Human Rights Activist, Feminist and LGBT Equality Advocate – an unstoppable force in fighting for justice about what we can do

Intercultural therapy is a form of psychotherapy aimed at benefiting culturally diverse groups. It recognises the importance of race, culture, beliefs, values, attitudes, religion and language in the life of the client. The concept has been developed by Jafar Kareem in his book Intercultural Therapy. Kareem believed that there are some intrinsic differences between individual human beings, either in their biology, their personality or both, and that both inter- and intrapsychic events profoundly affect an individual’s psyche and develop as part of their unconscious life. The events of the external world, then, are real but they are also internalised.

An intercultural therapist must take the external realities of a client’s life into account, such as poverty, refugee status, racism, sexism, physical health and physical abilities. Kareem believed that failure to understand cultural issues may lead to major diagnostic and therapeutic errors.

This panel debate will involve entrepreneurs, policymakers and leading academics working at the intersection of international development and digital innovation. The panel session includes entrepreneurs, academics and policymakers all working in the intersection between international development and innovation. Speakers include: Elizabeth Nyeko, Co-founder of Mandulis Energy, Sarah-Jane Cooper-Knock, Lecturer in African Development, Edinburgh University and Kenny Ewan, CEO & Founder, Wefarm.

You’re invited to celebrate the launch of Kiteka with an evening of live music, debate, and the opportunity to create meaningful connections with some of the brightest minds in transformative tech! Kiteka is a social enterprise empowering female entrepreneurs in Sub-Saharan Africa through access to mobile technology. Like and follow to see more.

Join AWLA for an evening of networking and drinks where we will discuss entry, progression and representation of black women in the legal profession. This event aims to provide a supportive platform and environment for women to network, form useful contacts and get advice and support on your legal career. Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn more about AWLA, including our mentorship programme and future events.

The AWLA helps women Lawyers of African and Caribbean descent and those who want to enter the legal professions, to develop their careers. We also help members of the African and Caribbean communities who are victims of injustice or victims. We provide support, advice and networking opportunities.

Bring your friends and join us for an evening of “Politics Lite” a chance to get together with interested South Africans for a fun, informative “Low-Cal” and “Sugar-Free” update on the topical issues that are on all our minds! Otherwise if solo, it’s an easy way to engage with other interesting people.

On 3rd Wednesdays of every month, The DA Abroad UK will introduce a fantastic speaker who will talk briefly about a topical subject – plenty to choose from! After the update there will be a Q&A session followed by informal discussion/social.

For the last event Dr Ivan Meyer MEC (Western Cape Finance Minister and Deputy Federal Chairperson of the DA) joined us via video link, and gave a very interesting update on the state capture report and how the DA is tackling the challenges of winning new Metros and gearing up for 2019.